Combined clock and signal with time lapse indicator



A. WlNN Oct. 17, 1950 COMBINED CLOCK AND SIGNAL WITH TIME LAPSE INDICATOR Filed May 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllllii.

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g Abial E1111 ATTORNEY A. WlNN Oct. 17, 1950 COMBINED CLOCK AND SIGNAL WITH TIME LAPSE INDICATOR Filed May 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR Abial Win11 Patented Oct. 17, 1950 COMBINED CLOCK AND SIGNAL WITH TIME LAPSE INDICATOR Abial Winn, Valdosta, Ga.

Application May 18, 1948, Serial No. 27,709

1 Claim.

My invention relates broadly to signal systems and more particularly to a combined time displaying clock and signal display and timing system.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of Stop and Go traffic control system including mechanism by which the time of day is indicated for the benefit of the passing flow of traffic.

Another object of my invention is to provide a traffic signal display device employing a large clockface which is illuminated as a traffic signal for controlling the flow of traffic and wherein the clockface is arranged so that it is much more readily seen than a smaller conventional signal light.

Still another objectof my invention is to provide a traflic signal system which includes a clockface with conventional hour and minute hands operating thereover associated with a traffic signal light system, and in addition a third hand which is progressively operated at a predetermined speed in correlation to the time symbols on the clockface so that the position and speed of the third hand gives a ready indication of the duration of time to be expected between traflic signal changes.

A still further object of m invention is to provide a traffic signal system including a display casing containing a plurality of individual 5..

colored signal lights arranged in groups of a dis tinguishing color and disposed in substantially coplanar arrangement in association with timeoperated switch control means which increases the liability of service, since the failure of less p;-

than all of the lamp bulbs of one color would not make the device inoperable as a traffic regulator.

Still another object of my invention, is to provide a compact self-contained signal mechanism in which the synchronous operation of the driving mechanism can be used to advantage in keeping two or more signal lights operating simultaneously or in a predetermined timestaggered fashion without the use of interconnected control wiring other than the normal alternating current power supply.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction and arrangement of a signal control mechanism as set forth more 2 fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the traflic signal control mechanism of my invention with parts broken away to illustrate more clearly the interior of the traffic signal display mechanism and time control mechanism; Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the electrical control system *for the trafilc signal'system of my invention;

Fig. 3 shows a modified arrangement of the signal control mechanism; and Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of the modified mechanism of Fig. 3.

With reference to the accompanying illustrations, Fig. 1 is a partial assembly with parts broken away of one arrangement of the invention referred to, wherein a translucent clockface l is supported in a suitable frame and housing 2, and is arranged to be illuminated from behind by either of two sets of differently colored lamps 3 or 4. Superimposed on the clockface is an hour hand 5, a minute hand 6, and a third hand 1. The third hand 1 is terminated by a lamp socket, 8 into which is secured an electric lamp 9.

A self-starting synchronous motor I0 is arranged to drive thethird hand I through means of a tubular extension shaft H. Current is supplied to the lamp 9 by means of contact brushes l2 and [3, operating on slip rings l4 and !5. connected by insulated electric wires I6 and i! to the lamp socket 8.

A drum contactor l8, by means of an interrupted conducting strip l9, alternately closes and opens a pair of electrical contacts-"2B and 2|, while simultaneously performing the reverse operation of opening and closing a pair of diametrically opposed electrical contacts 22 and 23. One pair of contacts 2e and 2| are in electrical series with one set of colored lamps, such as 3. The other set of contacts 22 and 23 are in electrical series with the opposite set of colored lamps 4.

The drum contactor is is mounted on shaft 24, and is driven from the shaft H, by means of gears 25 and 25, at one-half the speed of the third hand 1, in order'to effect one light change per revolution of the third hand I. The drum contactor I8 is oriented on its shaft 24 in such a way as to effect the above-mentioned light changes when the third hand "I is vertical and pointing upward. The minute hand 5 is mounted on a tubular shaft 27 and is arranged to be driven at the correct speed through suitable gearing 25, 28, 29 and 3t. The hour hand 55 is mounted on a tubular shaft 35 and is arranged to be driven at the correct speed through suitable gearing 32, 33, 3G and 35.

Fig. 2 is an elementary wiring diagram showin the electrical circuit and connections for two trafiic signal devices of the type and character herein referred to wherein an alternating current electrical feeder line 37 and 38 supplies current to two traffic signal devices which may be located remotely one from another. Although the diagram, Fig. 2, illustrates the connections for two traffic signal devices only, it will be understood that any number of similar signal devices may be powered from and synchronized by the same power supply.

With reference to the operation of either signal device illustrated, closure of disconnect switch 36 energizes the circuit to the extent that the self-starting synchronous motor I9 begins to operate the clock mechanism and the third hand electric lamp 9, and one set of the colored electric lamps 3, are illuminated. When the third hand reaches the 12 oclock position the conducting strip [9 opens contacts 26 and 2% and simultaneously closes contacts 22 and 23, thereby turning off one set of colored lamps 3 and illuminating the second set of colored lamps 3. A second revolution of the third hand to the 12 oclock position again reverses the illumination of the colored sets of lamps 3 and 4, and this operation continues in regulated repetition.

In order to render the signal of the third hand more effective for enabling pedestrians and motorists to judge the probable time of change of the colored sets of signal. lamps 3 and i, I may provide a pair of lamps on the end of the third hand in position 9 where the lamps are of different color in contrast with the illumination afforded by the clockface and in which these differently colored lamps are alternately energized in timed correlation to the reversal of illumination of the sets of colored lamps. Thus, a very substantial contrast occurs between the signal lamps on the end of the third hand and the illuminated field provided by the face of the clock.

Such an arrangement is illustrated by Fig. 3, wherein the third hand 1 is terminated by two lamp sockets 8 and 39 into which are secured two electric lamps 9 and 40. Current is supplied to the two lamps 9 and 40 by means of contact brushes l2, l3 and Al, operating on commutator rings l4, l5 and 42, connected by insulated electric wires 16, l'. and 43 to the lamp sockets 8 and 39.

Fig. 4 is an elementary wiring diagram'showin the electrical circuit and connections for two traific signal devices employing the principle of two lamps at the end of the third lamp 1 of the character referred to in Fig. 3, and in other respects being similar to Fig. 2.

With reference to the operation of either signal device illustrated, closure of disconnect switch 36 energizes the circuit to the extent that the self-starting synchronous motor In begins to operate the clock mechanism, and one set of colored electric lamps 3 and one electric lamp 9 at the end of the third hand 1 are illuminated. When the third hand 1 reaches the 12 oclock position the conducting strip I9 opens contacts 20 and 2 I, and simultaneously closes contacts 22 and 23, thereby turning off one set of colored lamps 3 and one third hand bulb 9 and illuminating the second set of colored lamps 4 and the alternate bulb 48 on the third hand. A second revolution of the third hand to the 12 oclock position again reverses the illumination of lamps 3 and 4 and lamps 9 and 4H, and this operation continues in regulated repetition.

I have shown the multiple lamps in the sets 3 and 4 disposed in substantially coplanar arrangement within the housing 2 for effectively illuminating the translucent clockface I. It will be understood that the operating mechanism illustrated in perspective view, in Figs. 1 and 3, may also be included within housing 2 or a par titioned rear section thereof. Thus, the entire traffic signal system may be suspended centrally at a traffic intersection and located in a position visible to approaching pedestrians and motorists. Four such traffic signals may be arranged at busy intersections. The equipment is designed for either pedestal mounting adjacent one side of the tralfic right-of-way or central suspension at the traific intersection.

The timing of the mechanism is such that the third hand revolves at a speed of one revolution per minute and the alternate illumination of the sets of differently colored lamps occurs when the third hand is vertical and poin ing upwardly. The speed of the third hand and the frequency of the colored lamp reversal may be simultaneously varied or r gulated by means of internal change gears in the chain of gears 25-35.

The fact that the movement of the third hand is correlated with respect to the change in the Go and Stop traffic signal light conditions as measured by the angular distance of the third hand with respect to the 12 oclock" positions of th clockface enables pedestrians and motorists watching the clockface, the color thereof, and the travel of the third hand, to judge the probable time of change of the traific lights. This ability to prejudge the change in the traffic lights gives a substantially added measure of safety and protection; at the same time speeding up the flow of traffic with the proper degree of caution.

While I have described my invention in one of its preferred embodiments I realize that modifications and improvements may be made and I desire it to be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

A signal system comprising a frame structure, a translucent clockface extending over said structure, sets of contrastingly colored lamp bulbs arranged in separate circuits in substantially coplanar arrangement behind said clockface, clocl; driving mechanism disposed adjacent said clockface, an hour and minute hand operative over said cloclzface under control of said clock driving mechani m, means operated by said clock driving mechanism alternately energizing said separate .rcuits for l minating said clockface in diiferent contra 6 colors in timed sequence, and a third hand operating over said clockface and driven by said clock driving mechanism, said third hand having a pair of contrastingly colored signal lamps on the end thereof in separate electrical circuits, said third hand being correlated in movement with the successive changes in color contrast of said clockface whereby said third hand successively occupies the same relative angular position at each change in color contrast of said clockface, and means for selectively energizing the individual lamps of said pair of lamps on the end of said third hand in selected relation to the energization of the lamps behind said clockface.

ABIAL WINN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Heysinger July 14, 1885 Davis Feb. 25, 1902 Miller Apr. 27, 1915 Stricker -1 Mar. 13, 1928 Beer Feb. 23, 1932 Walrath et a1. Apr. 5, 1932 Price -1 Jan. 2, 1934 Ebert July 28, 1936 Rucker Mar. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Italy Oct. 13, 1927 

